Pearls of Wisdom:
A Prayer for Self-Confidence
Recorded by Amanda Ling
Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center
©All rights reserved.
– 1 –
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
Please listen to my quavering voice.
Respectfully praying before you,
I acknowledge that
I am a person with little self-assurance.
I face society with apprehension.
I face relatives and friends with timidity.
– 2 –
I vigorously strive to exert myself,
Yet I lack an open and selfless mind.
I vigorously strive to improve myself,
Yet I lack decisive willpower.
Therefore, when facing my past,
I feel deeply inferior and insignificant.
When facing my present, I feel deeply agitated and vulnerable.
– 3 –
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
I acknowledge that
Whenever I encounter failure, I become discouraged.
Whenever I encounter adversity, I become hesitant.
Whenever I encounter setbacks, I become disheartened.
Whenever I encounter slander, I become resentful.
– 4 –
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
I acknowledge that I am a stubborn and self-absorbed person.
When my career lacks progress, I shirk responsibility.
When my teachers reproach me, I attribute all faults to others.
– 5 –
When people get together, I avoid interacting with them.
When life presents difficulties,I hide within my delusions and cringe with worry.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha!
I am a beginner in learning your teachings.
I often make errors in judgement.
– 6 –
I stumble on the Path time and again.
Oh Buddha!
I pray to you,
May I increase my wisdom and build my self-confidence.
Through the diligent practice of your teachings,
May I gain merits and virtue, and establish dignity.
Through zealous cultivation,
– 7 –
May I no longer fear disrespect from others.
May I no longer doubt their constructive criticism.
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept my sincere prayer!
Please accept my sincere prayer!